Many news outlets have noted the anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival in Bethel, New York that took place even though relentless thunderstorms turned Max Yasgur’s field into a giant muddy slip and slide. This newsworthy event happened just a little over 3 weeks after American astronauts walked on the moon. A lot went on in 1969.
Another overlooked weather disaster occurred on this weekend 50 years ago as well. Hurricane Camille came ashore in Mississippi with 175 mph winds devastating the coastal area.
23 people laughed in the face of weather warnings and held a hurricane party at the Richelieu Apartments in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The photo above shows an aerial view of those apartments prior to Camille’s arrival on August 17, 1969.
Camille came ashore overnight. When the sun rose the next day, August 18. 1969, the apartments looked like this. None of the 23 survived. I hope the lesson is obvious.
On the same morning that 23 party goers died in Mississippi the Woodstock festival was winding down. Of the estimated 500,000 attendees there were only 2 fatalities. One died from a drug overdose and the other was a person, lying in a sleeping bag, who was run over by a tractor.
Weather on Delmarva will be hot under partly cloudy skies with increasing humidity. While no warnings are expected today I hope you’ll take them seriously if they are issued.